Lubricating system



March 14, 195o w, M. EVANS 2,5oo454 LUBRICATING SYSTEM Filed May 17, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR M//V//am M ra .s SYM/VW ATTORNEY March l14, 1950 w. M. EvANs 2,500,454

LUBRICATING SYSTEM Filed May 17, 194:5 3 Sheets-Sheet 24 ATTORN EY March 14, 1950 w. M. EVANS 2,500,454

LUBRICATING SYSTEM Filed May 17, 1945 :s sheets-sheet s /5 g 8 4 7 23 o (22 //f f Il] l INVENTOR y BVf/ m Nfl/ans ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 14, 1950 LUBBICATING SYSTEM William M. Evans, Inglewood, Calif., assigner to U. S. Electrical Motors, Inc., Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Application May 17, 194s, serial No. 481,270

13 Claims.

This invention relates to the lubrication of shafts.

It is advantageous to provide an oil well adjacent the bearing that is to be lubricated. For example, a shaft having an axis arranged in a substantially horizontal position may be lubricated by passing oil upwardly from a well located below the shaft. For this purpose, oil rings or analogous devices have been used. All of them, however, require that the level of the lubricant in the well -be maintained at a satisfactory point.

It is one of the objects of this invention to ensure that the lubricant level be maintained in a well even when the shaft axis may vary from a desired normal position. Thus, for example, even if a normally horizontal shaft be tilted considerably from that position, the distance from the axis of the shaft tothe oil level is not materially altered.

Such an assurance for maintaining the oil level constant is especially useful where a continuous flow of oil is provided from the well to the bearings, and back to the well, the rate of oil flow in this cycle being regulated by an oil metering aperture. It is then assured that the circulation of oil is substantially uniformly mantained.

In some instances, ventilation is required past the bearings. This can be effectively accomplished by the aid of a fan mounted upon the shaft. When the shaft is that of an electric motor, for example, it is still more important to progvide ventilation, for heat losses in the motor must be satisfactorily dissipated. The use of a fan for this purpose would create air pressure differences urging the lubricant to flow outwardly of the well.

It is another object of this invention, therefore, to ensure against the occurrence of any effective loss of lubricant by such pressure effects.

It is still another object of this invention to improve, in general, lubricating systems of this character.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more easily apparent from a consideration of one embodiment of the invention. For this purpose these is shown a form in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. The form will now be described in detail, illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that this detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of this invention is best dened by the appended claims.

Figure 1 is a partial sectional view, taken sub- (Cl. 30S- 187) 2 stantially along the plane I -I of Fig. 2, of a bearing structure and its associated parts, all as incorporating the invention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view, taken along plane 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken along plane 3--3 of Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken along plane 4 4 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view, illustrating the manner in which a lubricant reservoir may be utilized in connection with the invention.

In the present instance, a bearing structure I (Figs. 1. 2, and 3) is shown as formed of rolling elements, such as the balls 2, for supporting a horizontal shaft 3. This shaft 3 is shown as one that carries an induction motor rotor 4. This rotor 4 is shown as co-operating with a stator 5. Only the left hand bearing support for shaft 3 is shown. It is understood, however, that a bearing support is used at the other end of the shaft.

The stator 5 may be conventionally supported in a motor frame 6. For example, a flange 1 is shown, telescoping within the frame 6 and held in proper relationship to the frame 6, as by the aid of a spring keying ring 8.

The manner in which the bearing structure I is supported may now be described. This bearing structure includes the inner race 9, directly mounted on the shaft 3. The outer race Ill is shown as accommodated in a bore l I (Figs. 1 and 3) formed in a generally cylindrical bearing support I2. This bearing support I2 is shown as being formed integrally with a bearing bracket I3. This bearing bracket I3 is provided with a plurality of ears I4 (see, particularly, Fig. l) for attaching the bracket I3 to the left hand end surface of the frame 6. This may be accomplished by the aid of the bolts I5. y

The inner race 9 of the bearing structure I is held in fixed axial position with respect to the shaft 3. Thus, the right hand edge of the race 9 is in contact with the hub I6 (Figs. 2 and 3) of a lubricant distributor Il to be later described. The hub of this distributor I1 is restrained against movement towardv the right, as by the shoulder I8 formed on shaft 3. Urging the inner race 9 toward the right against the hub I6. there are a pair of nuts I9 and 20 which are threaded on the shaft and which maybe tightened, as by the aid of a Spanner wrench.

For the purpose of providing ventilation and for coolingv the electric motor, the extreme left hand end ofshaft 3 is shown as carrying a ventilating fan 2I (Fig. 2). A frame or housing is provided for the fan, as by the aid of the sheet metal casing 22 and the cap 23. The sheet metal casing 22 may be arranged to telescope over the ears I4, as shown most clearly in Fig. 1. The cap 23 may be apertured, as indicated at 24, to permit passage of the circulating air into and out of the casing 22. The casing 22 and the end kcap 23 may be appropriately held in position, as by the aid of several long bolts 25 (Figs. l and 2). These bolts engageln appropriate threaded extensions 25 (Fig. 2) that are formed on the heads of`several of the cap screws I5.

Lubrication is supplied to the bearing structure I in a manner now to be described. Lubricant, such as the body of oil 21 (Fig. 2), is disposed in a space formed adjacent the lower portion oi' the race 9. The lubricant level is high enough so that the rolling elements V2 at the lower portion of the race 9 are partly immersed in the lubricant. For this purpose, the bearing support I2 is provided with a wall 23 (Fig. 2) forming the left hand boundary of a space in which the oil 21 is accommodated. A similar wall 29, forming the right hand boundary, is provided on the other side of the bearing structure I by a bearing cap 30. This bearing cap 39, as shown most clearly in Figs. 2 and v3, has an end surface contacting the end surface of support I2. It is fastened to the support I2, as by the aid of a plurality of bolts 3| (see also Fig. l). It also has a portion 32 telescoping into a corresponding bore 33 at the end of the support I2. Hub 34 of the cap 30 surrounds the shaft 3 with a slight clearance to form an oil seal around the shaft, as will be explained hereinafter.

'I'he oil 21 is supplied to the bearing structure I through an oil metering aperture 36 disposed in the lower portion of the wall 29. This oil metering aperture 33 communicates with an oil well 31 formed in the lower portion of the bearing cap 30. This metering aperture 35 restricts `the rate at which the oil circulates from the well 31 into the space adjacent the lower portion of the race 9, and thence over the Wall 29 b ack into `the well 31. This circulation is set up due to the agitation of the oil by movement of the balls 2.-

To distribute the oil around the bearing structure I, use is made of the oil distributor I1. This may be in the form of a ring appropriately fastened to the shaft 3, and having its lower portion extending into the oil 21. As the shaft 3 rotates, oil is carried by the distributor I1 upwardly, and the oil is thrown by centrifugal force toward the walls of the cavity 38, defined by the bearing support l2 and the cap 30, and housing the distributor I1. l

The arrangement is such that the level of the oil, or other lubricant, in the well 31 is maintained substantially constant. For this purpose, another oil well 39 (Figs. 1 and 2) is formed in the bearing bracket I3, and is in constant communication with the oil well 31, as by the aid of the apertures 40-4I formed respectively in the support I2 and in the cap 30. The level 50 of the oil in well 33 is kept constant, and therefore the same level is maintained in well 31.

For this purpose, a supply of oil for the well 33 is obtained from a, reservoir 42 (Figs. 1 and'5) inv an elevated position above the well 33. This reservoir 42 is in the form of a transparent closed plastic container appropriately ribbed for strength. Its lower edge is shown as sealedin an annular groove formed in a, metal flange 43. This metal liange 43 alsok carries the hollow externally threaded stem 44 which is in threaded engagement with a tting 45. A resilient gasket or seal 43 is disposed between the bottom of the flange 43 and the top of the fitting 45. In this way, when the container 43 is threaded tightly in place, the tting 45 is sealed against the ingress of air. Y

Oil, or other, lubricant, 41-in the reservoir is in communication through the stem 44 with the hollow projection extending downwardly from the fitting 45. This hollow projection is connected, as by a pipe 43, with a conduit 49. This conduit 43, as shown most clearly in Fig. l, is formed by walls joined integrally with the bearing bracket I3 and intersecting the support I2. It slopes downwardly and opens within the well 33.

The oil lubricant 41, from the sealed container 42, is free to flow downwardly through the conduit 43 and into the well 39 only until the level 50 of the lubricant in well 33 reaches the top Aof the opening of the conduit 49 in the well 39.

Further passage of lubricant is then prevented because the lower end of the conduit 49 is sealed against entry of air. Then no air can rise through the conduit 43. Therefore,the space above the lubricant 41 in the reservoir, being a partial vacuum, no oil or lubricant in the translucent container 42 flows downwardly. Should the level 53 recede, however, at least a portion of the lower end of the conduit 49 is exposed, permitting air to ow up through the conduit 43 into the reservoir 42; and oil can then flow down this conduit until the level 50 is re-established.

The lower end of the conduit 49 is purposely brought close to the vertical plane 5| that passes through the axis of shaft 3; and the level 59 is established quite close to the axis of the shaft 3. In this way, minor misalinement of the shaft 3 from `the horizontal has little eilect upon the position of the oil level 50 with'respect to the shaft axis.

An alternative conduit 52 (Figs. 1 and 3) is provided, symmetrically arranged with respect to the vertical plane 5I. In this way, either the conduit 49 or'52 may be used as desired. The conduit that is not in use has its upper end sealed, as by the aid of a conventional pipe plug 53.

Since the reservoir or container 42 is translucent, an operator may readily determine when the lubricant 41 needs replenishing. This replenishment should be accomplished without unsealing the conduit 49 at the top; for, otherwise, the oil iilling the conduit 49 would all flow out into the well 39. To prevent such an occurrence, a check valve arrangement is provided, illustrated most clearly in Fig. 5.

Thus, the hollow stem 44 is shown as having a sloping lower surface 54. This sloping lower surface, when the container 42 is screwed into place, serves to urge a ball valve closure 55 downwardly against the force of a compression spring 56. This compression spring 56 is accommodated in the bore of a cap 51. Now, when the container 42 is to be unscrewed to remove it and to ll it again, the spring 56 expands, and the ball check 55 is urged upwardly to the dotted line position.A In this position it is seated upon the tapered seat 53 formed around the hollow stem 44.- In this way, effective checking action is provided, preventing ingress of air around the fitting 45 while the container 42 is removed.

When the container or reservoir 42 is thus removed, it may be completely refilled with lubricant or oil 41, and then may be rapidly inverted and threaded into place. In the process of screwnular space is formed in the bracket I3.

ing it into place. the ball closure l5 is urged downward to the open position illustrated in F18. 5.

'.lhe oil level 53 of the well 39 -is exposed toy atmospheric pressure. For this purpose use is made of the conduit 59 l(Figs. 1 and 2) formed in the boss 50. This boss 50 is shown as integral with the bearing bracket I3. Into its upper end is threaded the pipe 6|, provided with appropriate fittings, such as the elbows 52 and 93 for forming the opening to the atmosphere.

Provisions are also made for draining the oil from the lubricant wells 31 and 39. For this purpose a conduit 64 (Figs. 1 and 2) is provided which extends through Ihe boss 65 integral with the bracket I3. Into this conduit 64 is threaded the pipe elbow 36. A drain pipe 61 is accommodated in the elbow 58 and may be closed by the pipe plug 53.

Provisions are made for ensuring that oil from the wells 31 and 39 will not pass outwardlyalongr the shaft 3 in an 'axial direction. For this purpose, oil sealing sleeves 69 and 10 (Figs. 2 and 3) are carried by the bracket I3 and the cap 30. These sleeves deilne very narrow annular passageways betwen the outer cylindrical surface of the shaft 3 and the inner cylindrical surface of the sleeves. Oil that may splash around the shaft is held by 'capillary attraction in this narrow space. In this way, the oil thus held serves as a seal around the shaft. The space between hub 34 and shaft 3 forms, as heretofore stated, a supplemental oil seal.

The nut may be provided withan overhanging flange 1I, and a similar overhanging flange 12 may be carried by the oil distributor I1. These flanges serve to throw outwardly from the shaft 3 any lubricant that may accumulate thereon.

As heretofore stated, a fan 2I is provided for ventilation. This fan creates an air pressure differential through the bearing structure and the bearing bracket I3. This, unless checked, would have the e'ect of disturbing the oil seals provided by the sleeves 69 and 10. In order to equalize the air pressure on both sides of the seals, use is made of communicating air passageways. 'Ihese may be best described in connection with Figs. l, 3, and 4.

The bearing bracket I3 is therefore provided with horizontal conduits 13 and 14 extending radially from the axis of shaft 3. These conduits communicate with the external atmosphere through apertures 8l! in the casing 22. conduits 13 are in direct communication with an annular space 15 around shaft 3 and axially spaced to the left from the sleeve 69. This anis partially dei'lned by the wall 16 that serves to separate space 15 from the space 8| above oil These air ItV well 39 in the bracket I3. Passageways 11 (Figs.

l and 3) extend from conduits 13 through the support I2, communicating with corresponding passageway 18 (Fig. 3) in the bearing cap 30, as well as with the annular space 35 formed in the bearing cap. Accordingly, since this annular space 35 is disposed to the right of the oil seal formed by the sleeve 10, the air pressure at the outward side of the seal is maintained the same as at the outward side of the seal formed by the sleeve 69.

The feature of the invention described herein of maintaining the lubricant level in the well is described and claimed in applicants divisional application for Lubricating system, Serial No. 18,733, filed April 3, 1948. The inventor claims:

1. In .a bearing lubricating system, a bearing 'y structure for a horizontal shaft, having rolling bearing elements, a bearing b'racket structure supporting the bearing structure and providing a lubricant chamber having an intermediate portion accommodating the bearing structure and. Wells respectively on opposite sides of the bearing structure, said -wells being in free communication with each other, means maintaining aconstant liquid level in said wells, and there being a metering aperture establishing communication between said intermediate portion' of the chamber and one of said wells, and means carried by the shaft for distributing lubricant passed by said aperture tothe bearing structure.

2. In a bearing lubricating system, a bearing structure for a horizontal shaft, having rolling bearing elements, a bearing bracket structure supporting the bearing structure and providing a lubricant chamber having Walls on opposite sides ofA the bearing structure forming an intermediate portion for accommodating said bearing structure, means maintaining a constant liquid level in said intermediate portion above the bottom of the bearing structure, and means establishlng restricted continuous communication between said chamber and the intermediate portion.

3. In a bearing lubricating system, a bearing structure for a horizontal shaft, having rolling bearing elements, a bearing bracket structure supporting the bearing structure and providing a lubricant chamber having an intermediate portion accommodating the bearing structure and wells respectively o n oppositel sides of the bearing structure, said wells being in free communication with each other, means maintaining a constant liquid level in said wells, means supplying lubricant to said intermediate portion from said cham-ber in a restricted quantity, means forming lubricant seals about said shaft at opposite ends of said chambers, means spaced along the shaft from each of said seal forming means in a direction away from the chamber closely encircling the shaft, and forming with said seal means, spaces encircling the shaft, and means forming passages maintaining said spaces in free communication with each other aswell as -with the atmosphere. v V

4. In a bearing lubricating system: a bearing bracket; a rolling bearing structure supported by said bracket, said bracket containing a lubricant well therein disposed on one side of the bearing structure; a cover fastened to the bearing bracket, said cover also containing a lubricant Well therein disposed on the other side of said bearing structure, said wells, together with inter-communicating passageways, forming a continuously circulating lubrication system; means including a metering aperture substantially below bearing level to regulate the rate of said continuous ow through the bearing structure,

said aperture having an inlet communicating with one of said wells, said aperture also having an outlet; and means extending into the lubricant in said system on the outlet side of said aperture to circulate the lubricant.

5. In a bearing lubricating system: a bearing structure; means forming lubricant wells disposed on either side of said bearing structure, said wells, together with inter-communicating passageways, forming a continuously circulating lubrication system; means including a metering aperture substantially below bearing level to regulate the rate of said continuous flow through the lbearing structure,` said aperture having an in- `let'ctmimunicating with one of said wells, said aperture also having an outlet; and means extending into the lubricant in said system on the outlet side of said aperture to circulate the lubricant.

` 6. In combination: a bearing structure for a shaft; means defining a space in which said structure is located; means supplying a lubricant to said structure; means defining with the shaft annular capillary spaces respectively on opposite sides of the bearing structure and in communication with said space; and means ensur( `wells respectively on opposite sides of the bearing structure, said wells being in free' communica- `tion with each other, means maintaining a constant liquid level in said wells, and means providing a restricted orifice extending from one of vsaid wells into said intermediate portion for supplying lubricant in a restricted quantity to said intermediate portion.

8In a bearing lubricating system, a bearing structure for a horizontal shaft, having rolling bearing elements, a bearing bracket structure supporting the bearing structure and providing a lubricant chamber having walls on opposite sides of the bearing structure forming an inter- :mediate portion for accommodating said bearing structure, and means providing a restricted aper-4 ture between said chamber on one side of said bearing structure and said intermediate portion for determining the ow of lubricant to said intermediate portion.

9. In a bearing lubricating system, a bearing structure fora horizontal shaft, having rolling `bearing elements, a bearing bracket structure supporting the bearing structure and providing a lubricant chamber having walls on opposite sides of the bearing structure forming an intermediate portion for accommodating said bearing structure, means providing a restricted aperture between said chamber on one 'side of said bearing structure and said intermediate portion for determining the flow of lubricant to said intermediate portion, and means in said intermediate portion for distributing lubricant to said bear-v ing structure.

10. In a bearing lubricating system, a bearing `structure for a horizontal shaft, having rolling `bearing elements, a bearing bracket structure supporting the bearing structure and providing Ia lubricant chamber having an intermediate portion accommodating the bearing structure and -wells respectively on opposite sides of the bearing structure, said wells being in free communication with each other, means maintaining a constant liquid level in said wells, means providing a restricted passage between said chamber and intermediate portion for supplying lubricantto said intermediate portion in a restricted quantity, means forming lubricant seals about said shaft at opposite ends of said chambers, means lspaced along the shaft outwardly from each of said seals forming spaces encircling the shaft, and means providing passages maintaining said spaces in free communication with each other and with the atmosphere. Y

1l. Inra bearing lubricating system; a bearing structure for a horizontal shaft, having rolling bearing elements, a bearing bracket structure supporting the -bearing structure 'and providing a lubricant chamber having an intermediate portion accommodating the' bearing structure and wells respectively on opposite sides of the bearing structure, saidwells being in free communication with each other, -means maintaining a constant liquid level in said wells, means providing a restricted passage between said chamber and intermediate portion for supplying lubricant to said intermediate portion in a restricted quantity, means in said intermediate portion for circulating lubricant around said bearing structure, means forming lubricant seals about said shaft at opposite ends of said chambers, means spaced along the shaft outwardly from each of said seals forming spaces encircling the shaft, and means providing passages `maintaining said spaces in free communication with each other and with the atmosphere. v y

12. In a bearing lubricating system, a bearing, a Ibracket structure providing a space in which said bearing is supported, said bracket structure having a plurality of intercommunicating 1ubricant wells on opposite sides of said bearing, means for supplying lubricant from one of said wells to said space. and means extending into said space to circulate the lubricant within said space.

13. In a bearing lubricating system; a bearing, a bracket structure providing a space in which said bearing is supported, said bracket structure having a plurality of intercommunicating lubricant wells on opposite sides of said bearing,` said, bracket structure having -a metering passage for the ilow of lubricant from one of said wells to said space, and means extending into said space to circulate the lubricant within said space.

WILLIAM M. EVANS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the iile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,607,222 Wallgren Nov. 16, 1926 1,865,088 Daun June 28, 1932 1,992,818 Else Feb. 26, 1935 2,000,581 Coffin May 7, 1935 2,179,321 Brown Nov,'7, 1939 2,242,262 Ray May 20, 1941 2,255,662 Gulow Sept. 9, 1941 2,266,107 Waterfill Dec. 16, 1941 2,239,283 A Brown Apr. 22, 1941 2,325,283 Swearingen July 27, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 284,453 Great Britain Feb. 2, 1928 321,997 Great Britain Nov. 28, 1929 

